Which topics does Hands-On Education offer for Key Stage 1 Geography Curriculum?

KS1 Weather Topic

Hands-On Education offers a range of topics specifically designed for Key Stage 1 Geography Curriculum. These include "Where I Live for KS1", "Weather for KS1", and "The United Kingdom for KS1". Each of these topics is structured to address National Curriculum objectives across various subject areas, with a particular emphasis on geography skills and building content knowledge.

How does the 'Where I Live for KS1' topic help students develop fieldwork and observational skills?

The "Where I Live for KS1" topic is specifically designed to help Year 1 and Year 2 students develop their fieldwork and observational skills. By studying the geography of their schools, the school grounds, and the key human and physical features in their surrounding environment, students are encouraged to actively engage in observing and analysing their surroundings. This hands-on approach to learning allows students to practice making detailed observations, identifying different elements in their environment, and drawing comparisons between various areas.

Moreover, the concluding part of this topic provides students with the opportunity to compare and contrast their immediate local area with a small area in Kenya. This comparative element further enhances their observational skills as they critically analyse the similarities and differences between two distinct environments.

Overall, through the "Where I Live for KS1" topic, students are not only encouraged to explore and understand their surroundings but also to develop essential fieldwork and observational skills that are crucial for their geographical learning and overall educational development.

KS1 The UK Topic

What is the focus of the KS1 & KS2 Geography curriculum?

The focus of the 'The UNited Kingdom' topic for Key Stage 1 is to provide a specific and meaningful approach to teaching geography. In this topic, children dive into the exploration of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom. They not only learn about the different countries and their capitals but also develop essential geographical vocabulary and skills that will assist them in their learning journey. Through the use of maps, atlases, and globes, students gain hands-on experience in navigation and understanding geographic concepts. Overall, the aim is to make the study of Britain's geography engaging and relevant to the young learners in Key Stage 1.

Additionally, the KS1 & KS2 Geography curriculum is designed to deepen students' knowledge and skills across a wide range of geographical aspects, including locational, place, environmental, physical, and human processes. These are explored through both thematic and place-based studies at various scales, enhancing students' world knowledge and their ability to connect and apply what they have learned to contemporary geographical debates and real-world challenges. Students are also taught to develop their knowledge and application of geographical investigation skills through the use of diverse tools such as maps, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial statistics, aerial and satellite imagery, and fieldwork enquiry processes. This comprehensive approach not only broadens their understanding but also prepares them to actively participate in ongoing geographical discussions and solutions.

What is covered in the "Oceans and Seas" topic for Year 1 and Year 2 children?

KS1 Where I Live Topic

The "Oceans and Seas" topic for Year 1 and Year 2 children is a lively and creative exploration of bodies of water around the world. Throughout this lesson, children will acquire knowledge about oceans and seas, while developing their geographical skills. They will also gain an understanding of food chains, exploration, and evolution that are interconnected in these marine environments.

One of the key aspects of this lesson is the introduction of basic geographical vocabulary. Children will learn and familiarize themselves with terms specific to oceans and seas, which will broaden their understanding of these environments. They will also be exposed to a variety of sources of geographical information, such as maps, globes, and aerial photographs. This will enable them to interpret and analyze these sources in order to better comprehend the features and characteristics of oceans and seas.

Throughout their learning journey, children will explore the diverse marine ecosystems found across the globe. They will learn about the different plants and animals that inhabit these environments and discover the intricate relationships between them through food chains. By understanding the concept of food chains, children will comprehend how energy flows and is transferred within these marine ecosystems.

Furthermore, the lesson will delve into the significance of exploration regarding oceans and seas. Children will gain insights into historical explorations of oceans and seas, including famous explorers who embarked on these adventures. They will learn about the motivations behind these explorations and how they contributed to a greater understanding of the world's bodies of water.

The lesson will also cover the concept of evolution and its role in shaping marine life. Children will explore how species have adapted and evolved in order to survive in different oceanic environments. They will discover the amazing diversity of marine species and how these adaptations have been key to their survival and continued existence.

In summary, the "Oceans and Seas" topic for Year 1 and Year 2 children offers a comprehensive exploration of marine environments. Through this topic, children will develop their geographical skills, expand their vocabulary, and gain knowledge about food chains, exploration, and evolution within oceans and seas.

What specialist geographical skills are covered in the "Building Skills in Geography" topic block?

KS1 Weather Topic

The "Building Skills in Geography" topic block comprehensively covers various specialist geographical skills that are expected to be developed by KS1 pupils. It encompasses a wide range of skill areas that are specific to geography, such as map reading, understanding and interpreting different types of maps, recognizing and describing natural and human features on maps, and learning how to use map symbols and keys. Additionally, this topic block also focuses on developing skills related to direction and location, including identifying cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) and using positional language (e.g., beside, next to, near). Furthermore, pupils are exposed to basic spatial awareness skills, such as recognizing and describing different scales (e.g., zoomed-in and zoomed-out views) and learning about the concept of distance. Ultimately, this topic block aims to provide KS1 pupils with a solid foundation in the specialist geographical skills necessary for their ongoing geographical exploration and understanding.

What knowledge and skills specific to geography are emphasized in the curriculum?

KS1 Where I Live Topic

In order to find specific objectives for the Year 1 and Year 2 geography curriculum in Hands-On Education's plans, simply refer to the KS1 Geography Curriculum Planner. This comprehensive guide will direct you to the exact locations within Hands-On Education's plans where you can find the specific objectives catered to these year levels. By consulting this planner, teachers can have a strong focus on geography and easily identify the areas within Hands-On Education's plans that align with the curriculum requirements for Year 1 and Year 2.

The geography curriculum is specifically designed to enrich pupils' understanding and skills in a variety of areas. It focuses on developing world knowledge that includes locational, place, environmental, physical, and human processes, explored through thematic and place-based studies at different scales. Additionally, it emphasizes the origin and evolution of geographical knowledge.

To further enhance these learning outcomes, our curriculum equips students with essential geographical investigation skills. These skills include proficient use of maps, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial statistics, and the ability to interpret aerial and satellite imagery. The curriculum also deeply engages students in the fieldwork enquiry process, which involves comprehensive data collection, presentation, and analysis techniques.

Moreover, our approach ensures that students develop a strong understanding of contemporary geographical debates and real-world challenges. This is achieved by effectively organizing, connecting, and applying the knowledge and skills they have acquired through their studies.

By integrating these detailed knowledge areas and skill sets, the Hands-On Education geography curriculum stands out as a robust framework designed to prepare students for a deeper understanding of the world and its complex geographical dynamics.

How does Hands-On Education's cross-curricular approach work at primary school?

KS1 The UK Topic

Hands-On Education's cross-curricular approach at primary school is designed to effectively integrate multiple subject areas into their teaching methodology. By incorporating various topics, they are able to address National Curriculum objectives across different subjects. This approach has been tested and proven to be successful in primary schools. Geography, in particular, plays a prominent role in the subjects covered, allowing students to develop both their skills and knowledge in this field.

Which topics does Hands-On Education offer for Key Stage 1 geography curriculum?

KS1 Weather Topic

Hands-On Education offers a range of topics to support the Key Stage 1 geography curriculum. These topics cover various National Curriculum objectives across multiple subject areas, making them suitable for primary school teaching. Geography skills and content knowledge hold a significant place in these topic materials. To explore the geography teaching resources, one can use the filtering option for KS1 geography topics provided by Hands-On Education. Some of the topic blocks mentioned in this context are "Building Skills in Geography" which focuses on developing geographical skills, "Our School and Local Area" which explores the immediate surroundings and communities, "Oceans and Seas" which delves into the concept of bodies of water, "We Are Britain" which examines the diverse features and characteristics of the United Kingdom, and "Weather Experts" which looks at weather and meteorological phenomena. Furthermore, it is worth noting that Hands-On Education also provides an abundance of topics for studying Key Stage 2 geography.

What expertise does the Geographical Association bring to the curriculum development?

The Geographical Association leverages its profound experience and deep knowledge in crafting the curriculum. It possesses a vast and diverse membership network that spans all types of educators — from various age groups and different school environments. This diverse influence ensures that the curriculum is developed with a strong foundational approach based on solid educational research principles. The Association emphasizes a carefully sequenced and coherent curriculum structure that promises more effective learning outcomes.

Who is the curriculum partner for the development of this curriculum?

The curriculum partner involved in developing this curriculum is the Geographical Association. Renowned for their extensive experience and expertise, they play a pivotal role in the curriculum development process. They boast a broad membership that includes educators from various age groups and different kinds of schools. The focus of the Geographical Association is to create a curriculum based on solid educational principles. This includes the use of careful sequencing and coherence, ensuring that the curriculum is both effective and systematically organized.

How does the curriculum nurture pupils' personal and everyday geographies?

The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to enrich pupils' understanding and appreciation of geography, bringing personal and everyday aspects into greater perspective. It accomplashes this through a combination of engaging teaching methods, strategic progression, and relevant content. Here’s how it nurtures these important geographies:

Encouraging Exploration and Curiosity

Students are encouraged to explore beyond their immediate environment, igniting their curiosity about diverse places and cultures. This exploration is guided through a series of thematic and regional studies that extend their geographical knowledge.

Structured Learning Progression

The curriculum is meticulously structured to ensure a clear progression in learning. Pupils gradually build on their geographical knowledge and skills, starting from familiar local surroundings and extending to more complex global issues. This systematic build-up ensures a deep and comprehensive understanding of geography.

Revisiting Key Concepts

Core geographical themes such as local area studies are revisited with increasing complexity. This method reinforces learning and connects new knowledge with already familiar concepts, making the learning process both comprehensive and cohesive.

Practical Skills Development

In addition to theoretical knowledge, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on practical skills such as enquiry, mapwork, and fieldwork. These skills are not only taught but are also contextualized within the curriculum, making them relevant to real-world situations.

Real-World Application

The curriculum connects geographical knowledge to real-world contexts. This approach helps students understand and engage with significant global challenges like climate change and sustainability, equipping them with the knowledge to think critically about these issues from both local and global perspectives.

Broadening Perspectives

The ultimate goal is for pupils to view the world through a geographical lens, enhancing their global awareness and understanding. This perspective is crucial for nurturing informed, knowledgeable citizens who are equipped to address the geographical challenges of the future.

By incorporating these elements, the curriculum succeeds in nurturing pupils' personal and everyday geographies, providing them with a rich and rounded understanding of the world around them.

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